Fountain-display.



A. 0. ZIENER.

FOUNTAIN DISPLAY.

APPLICA T|0N FILED ran. 15. 1915.

1,218,969. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

i /i l1 anuewtm A. 0. ZIENER.

FOUNTAIN DISPLAY. APPLICATION HLEp FEB. is. 1915.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

A 0.. a 0-0 a c w wf INVENTOR g; 1. 4 ATTORNEY WITNESSES A. 0. ZIENER.

FOUNTAIN DISPLAY.

APPLICATION man FEB- 15. I915.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ADOLPH OSWALD ZIENEB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FQUNTAIN-DISPLAY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AooLPH 'OswALo ZIENER, a subject of the Empire of Germany, I

and resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain-Displays, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates to improvements in fountain displays, and more particularly that type of fountain wherein hiddenelectric lamps reflect their rays through the water of the fountain.

In such fountains as heretofore constructed, it has been necessary to use pumps of the vertical or upright type, so that very high basw were required, packing was necessary, and the water came into contact with oil-therein. In the present invention, it is an object to provide a very simple and economical construction, wherein no packing whatever is necessary, and the water in no way comes into contact with the motor or other operating parts. Another. object is to provide a device of this characterwherein a great varietyof different water and lighting effects may be obtained, and aside from its value as a fountain and illuminating device will possess artistic value as an ornament when not in use.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists of the novel features, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved fountain.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the line 22 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a] vertical section of another form; Y Y

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the pump with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a further modified form of construction; I

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the same;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view thereof, and

Fig. 8 shows a still further modified form of to; piece.

Similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several news.

Referring to the drawin s, a dish-shaped base 1, supported on claw eet 2 or the like,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

1 Application filed February 15, 1915. serial m. 8,380. 7

is prbvided' with an annular channel 3v formed by an upstanding flange 4, in which natural or artificial flowers, fruit or the like lmay be placed, and a central recessed portion 5, in which is located the water. pump hereinafter described. Holes 6 are provided near the bottom of the flange 4 to allow water to flow from the channel 3. into the center portion of the base and into the said pump. Secured to the base over the recessed portion thereof by means of bolts and nuts 1s a plate 7 provided with a central aperture 8 and a circumferential upstanding portion 9 having a lateral flange 10 to which is bolted or otherwise-secured a motor 11.

Holes 12 are provided in the portion 9 to allow water to flow therethrough. A shaft 13 of the said motor projects downwardly through-the central aperture 8 of the plate 7, and 1 provided on its end with a fan or turbine 14 inclosed in the pump-housing 1 15, into which Water flows through the holes 12 and the central aperture 8. The said housing 15 is secured to the face of the plate 7 by means of countersunk screws 16 extending therethrough. .In order to prevent any foreign substances in the water, such as leaves, sand or the like, from entering the pump, a cylindrical ring 17 of fine wire mesh .1s provided around the plate7, entirely in closing the same.

Extending upwardly from the pump housing '15 through the plate 7 is a water tube 18, connected by aflexible tubular con- .nection '18 tov an upstanding water. tube 19 rovided on the to of the motor 11. ounted on the sai tube. 19 is a disk 20,

provided on its periphery with a plurality of electric incandescent lamps 21, and below the said disk is mounted a socket member 22, which is 'held'in position on the tube 19 by an annular projection 23 thereon. The said lamps 21 are of a variety of colors,

preferably white, blue, red and green, the

illustration herewith showing three lamps of each of these colors." Plugs 24 corresponding in number to the various colors employed are provided on the disk20, and fit into corresponding holes 25' inthe socket member 22. One of said plugs is preferably longer and thicker than the others, and fits into a correspondingly longer and wider hole in the socket, so that when the lamps are removed and replaced, the proper connection will be made for the various colored lamps. In order to prevent any water which may leak through the connection above the disk from causing a short circuit, the said disk is provided with a top plate of metal 55 and an inner sleeve 56integral with the said top plate. The said inner sleeve extends below thedisk and into an inner.

sleeve 57 provided in the socket member 22, which also extends below the socket member and is provided at the bottom with small outlet holes 58. In this way the said disk and socket are thoroughly insulated and any Water which may drop on the same is drained off through the holes '58. Current'is supplied to the said lamps through wires 26 extending through a main pipe 27 connected at 28 to a switch 29 and plug 30. A wire 31 also extending through the main pipe 27 supplies current to the motor 11. Each of the Wires 26 represents a different colored set of lamps, the lamps of one color being connected to the corresponding wire. Keys 32 are provided on the switch 29, corresponding to the different colors, and a key 33 is provided for the motor 11 for operating the motor pumps,

' so that the fountain may be made to play.

Any or all of the different colored lamps may be lighted as desired, so that a great variety of beautiful effects may be obtained.

Mounted about the disk 20 and the lamps 21, and inclosing the same, is a glass canopy 34 having its central portion depressed, and secured in position by a flanged nipple 35 threaded on the end of the water tube 19. Rubber Washers 36v are provided between the disk and the canopy, and the flanged nipple and the canopy, to render the "connection water-tight. Secured to the depending edge of the glass canopy 34 is an annular trough or channel 37. This channel is provided with a spraying device comprlsmg an annular serles 0t nozzles or teats 38 adapted to discharge water in a circular series of streams surrounding the motor. A cylindrical ring 39 of filigree or other suitable design may be provided on the outside of said channel to render the same ornamental and to obstruct from view the said teats 38.

A top piece having a central Water chamber 40 is threaded onto the flanged nipple 35; A valve-controlled nozzle 41 extends vertically upward from the said chamber, and a laterally disposed tubular ring 42 provided on its upper side with teats 43, inclined slightly inwardly, is connected to the said chamber by a valve-controlled supply pipe 44. A second valve-controlled supply pipe 45 from the said chamber is provided, secured to and supporting, but not supplying, the ring 42, and provided with downwardly extending annulus 46 for supplying water to the channel 37. It is'obvious that during the operation of this embodiment of the invention the central concave portion of the glass canopy and the channel 37 w1ll act as a reservoir, and the annular series of nozzles-38 will discharge water supplied is supported on the base 1 by rubber tips 48, so as to allow water to flow thereunder. \Vater nymphs or other such appropriate ornamentation maybe arranged on a platform 49-if desired. I

In the form shown in Fig. 3 the fountain portion above the. canopy 34 is dispensed with, and a fruit or flower support is substituted. A hollow cap 50 having outlet holes 51, for supplying water to the channel 37,'is threaded on the water tube 19, and a plate '52 having its edge bent down into the channel 37, and provided with a central aperture 53, is placed over the same, and a flower vase 54 or other suitable ornament is threaded on the cap for securing the said plate in position, v

In Figs. 6 and 7, I have shown a still further modified form of my invention in which I provide a pump and motor, similar to that shown in the other embodiments of my invention, in a base 60, in which is disposed a-tubular ring 61 having inwardly inclined'upstanding nozzles 62 around the upper side thereof. .A feed pipe 63 is connected at diametrically opposite points to the said ring, and is connected to the pumphousing 15 by means of a pipe 64 controlled by a, valve 65. Inclosing the motor and other mechanism is a casing 66 slightly raised from the base 60 by means of washers or the like 67 to permit passage of water under the same. The said casing is preferably in the form of a cascade, and mounted on the top of the same is provided a bowl 68 surmounted by a mermaid or other suitable artistic figure 69, whichmay, if desired, be holding a flower, fern or the like. The bowl 68 is provided with a number of perforations 70, through which the water falling into the same is directed over the cascade and back into the base 60. .The said cascade, if desired, may be constructed of colored, translucent, or iridescent glass, and if desired, colored electric incandescent lamps may be arranged beneath the same, as in the first two forms of my invention, and a dome and electric lights may be arranged tus is adapted to operate upon a fixed. quantity of water in the closed-bottom basin, the

same water being passed repeatedly by means of the pump through the spraying. device and regathered from the nozzles into said basin.

With these improvements it will be seen that a fountain is provided wherein no packing is required, no oil. whatever can come into contact with the water, and a comparatively small amount ,of the same is required,

so that, if desired, champagne, wine or the i like might be substituted to produce a most pleasing Baccha'nalian effect, without adding materially to the cost.

The operation of my improved fountain display is as follows: a

\Vater or other suitable liquid is placed in the base 1, so that the holes 6 and 12 are covered, and the liquid flows freely therethrough, and flowers are placed in the channel 3. The switch 33 is turned to start the motor operating'the pump, and the liquid is forced upwardly through the pipes 18, 19, 18 to the water chamber 40, where it is distributed to the fountain and reservoir and allowed to flow back to the base I in fine streams through the teats 38. Either of the sets of coloredlights may be'lighted as desired 'to harmonize with the particular surroundings, or all may be lighted simultaneously, producing by means of the reflected rays through the water a beautiful rainbow effect. The rays of the lights, it will be seen, are reflected through the glass canopy,

and the upwardly playing fountain, and also through the downwardly falling streams.

The base 1, according to my invention, may be constructed so low that. persons seated around the fountain are enabled tolook down into the same and observe the inverted the teats 38 to the base 1. Y

I have illustrated preferred and satisfactory forms of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. A device of'the character described disposed below said plate and in communication with said base through-said opening, av

driving shaft. extending into said recesspump casing and lead-' mounted below the level of the water in the 7 base and adapted to receive a relatively small amount of water from said base and provided with a central openin in the uper'wall'thereof, a pump, a sha suspended in said housing through said opening and supporting said pump, means mountedabove the level of the water in' said base for supplying power to said pump, the said pump being slightly spaced from the walls of said housing, thesaid shaft being annularly spaced from the sides of said opening, the annular space between thesaid shaft and the sides of said opening permitting entrance of water from said base to said pump-housing, and means connected to said pump-housing for directing the water to'a higher level.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a base'iadapted to have water placed therein, a'restricted pump-housing mounted below the level of the water in the base and adapted to receive a relatively small amount of water from said base and provided with a central opening in the upper wall thereof, a pump, a shaft suspended in said housing through said opening and supporting said pump, means mounted above the level of the water in said base for supplying power to said pump, the said pump being slightly spaced from the Walls'of said housing, the said shaft being annularly spaced from thesides of said opening, the annular space between the said shaft and the sides of said opening permitting entrance of water from said base to said pump housing, the said pump adapted to force the water contained in said pump-housing laterally therefrom, and means connected to said pump-housing for directing the water to a higher level.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a base adapted to have water placed therein, a fountain device, a restricted pump-housing mounted below the level of V the water in the base and adapted to receive a relatively small amount of water from said said opening and supporting said pump,

means mounted above the level of the water in said base for supplying power to said pump, the said shaft being annularly spaced from the sides of said opening, and means connected to said pump-housing for supplying water to the said fountain device, the

water being directed from the said fountain device back to. the said base.

and provided with! .5. A device of the character described, comprising a base adapted to have. water placed therein, and provided with a recessed portion therein, a pump-housinghorizontally arranged in said recessed portion pro- .vided with an opening for permitting entrance of water from the base into said pump-housing, a plate engaging the said base and forming a closure for the said recessed portion, a pump suspended in said housing through the said opening, means mounted above the level of the water in said base for supplying power to the said pump, and means connected to the said pump for directing the water to' a higher level.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a base adapted to have water placed therein, a fountain device, a pump-housing in close proximity to the said base adapted to receive water from the said base, and provided with an opening, a pump suspended in said pump-housing through said opening, means mounted above the level of the water contained in the said base for supplying power to the said pump, and means connected. to the said pump-housing for supplying water to the said fountain device, the water being directed from the said fountain device back to-the said base, an electric light holder mounted above said base, a plurality of plugs on said holder, one of said plugs being of greater length and greater width than the others, a socket device for supply ing current to said electric lights and provided with a plurality of sockets corresponding to said plugs, and means on said electric ,light holder and said socket device for preventing water from coming into contact with said current of electricity.

7. A device of the character described, comprising a base adapted to be-supplied with water, a fountain device, a pump-housing horizontally arranged on said base adapted tobe supplied with water, a pump in said pump-housing, means mounted above the level of the water contained in the said base for supplying power to the said pump,

means connected to said pump-housing for directing the water to the said fountain device, an electric-light holder mounted below said fountain device, a plurality of plugs on said holder, oneof said plugs being of greater lengthand greater width than the others, a socket device forsupplying current to said electric-light and provided with a plurality of sockets corresponding to the said plugs, and means on said electric-light holder and said socket device forpre'venting water'from coming into contact with said current.

' 8. A device of the character described comprising a base adapted to contain water plate disposed in sai base, covering said depressed recess, provided with a central epenx depressed recess, a

therefrom.

9. A self-contained fountain comprising a basin, a pump disposed therein, a motor disposed above said pump, an illuminating sys-' tem disposed above said motor, a spraying device, pipes connecting said pump with said spraying device, and electric connections between said motor and illuminating system,

said apparatus being designed to operate upon a fixed quantity of water contained therein, the same water being passed repeatedly by means of the pump through the spraying device and regathered in the basin.

10. A device of the character described comprising a base adapted to contain water and provided witha depressed recess, a plate disposed in said base, covering said depressed recess, provided with a ntral opening and with an upright perforated partition surrounding said 0 ening at some distance from .the edge thereo and having a flange adapted for connecting an electric motor therewith, a horizontal rotary pump casing dis posed below said plhte and in communica tion with said base through said opening, a driving shaft extending into said recess through said opening. and provided with a rotary pump member within said casing, and pipes connected with said pump casing and leading upward therefrom.

11. A self-contained fountain comprising a basin, a pump disposed therein, a pump housing surrounding said pump and having an opening in its wall below the normal water level and communicating with the interior of said basin, a motor disposed above said pump, an illuminating system disposed above said motor, a spraying device, pipes connecting said pump with said spraying device, and electric connections between said motor and illuminating system, said a paratus being designed to operate upon a xed quantity of water contained therein, the same water being passed repeatedly by means of the pump through the spraying device and regathered in the basin.

12. A self contained fountain comprising a basin havin a closed bottom, a pump disposed in' sai basin above saidbottom, a pump-housing surrounding said pump and provided with openings communicating with the interior of said basin below the normal water level thereof, a motor disposed above said pump and pump-housing and having its the shaft of said pump, and a spraying device comprising an annular series of nozzles supplied by said pump and adapted to discharge Water in a circular series of streams surrounding the body of the structure; said apparatus being adapted to operate upon a vfixed quantity of Water contained in said 7 closed-bottom basin, the same Water being passed repeatedly by means of the pump 

